Demonizing the Other: An Analysis of Moral Conflict, Violence, and Spirituality

Abstract

Conflict theory attempts to understand conflicts in terms of power, communication, needs, desires, and moral controls. In terms of the present discussion regarding violence and religion, conflict theory focuses on questions of morals and authority, the violation of norms, moral exclusion, and communication patterns. Moral systems that understand their source as being in revealed truth can categorize those who do not have the same beliefs as being radically other. This categorization is frequently based on the perceived level of threat presented by others. As such, persons and groups who do not have the same religious, or moral, beliefs may not be included in the system of justice, or morality, of the group. This dynamic has the potential of producing nonproductive communication patterns and potentially justifying and sustaining violence. From this perspective, overcoming violence requires reexamination of fundamental moral presuppositions, redefinition of what is understood as a threat to the group, and transformation of ingrained patterns of communication.